Headlines

CNN

Iran Maintains Missile Capability

US intelligence assessments indicate that despite weeks of US and Israeli strikes, Iran retains roughly half of its missile launchers and drone capabilities—underscoring a continued threat to the region even as officials tout significant military gains.

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Michael A. Smerconish

Daily Thoughts: Friday Focus

Thank you for signing up for my newsletter. I am extremely proud of this product, and I know our readers love it, too. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable, and our open and click-through rates dwarf industry averages. In other words, people don’t just…

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Politico

Bondi Out as AG

President Donald Trump abruptly ousted Pam Bondi as attorney general amid mounting turmoil at the Justice Department and frustrations over her handling of politically charged investigations and controversies, ending her turbulent yearlong tenure.

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Axios

Army Chief Removed Amid War

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth abruptly forced out Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and two other senior leaders during the ongoing Iran war, cutting short George’s term without a stated reason and marking the latest shake-up of top Pentagon leadership.

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The Hill

Conservatives Seethe at Johnson Flip

Hard-line conservatives are fuming after Mike Johnson reversed his stance to back a Senate plan separating immigration enforcement funding from a broader DHS package, a move critics warn could weaken border security and signal a concession to Democrats.

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CNBC

Stocks Show Mixed Movement

Stocks closed in mixed, choppy, and volatile trading with the Dow edging lower after President Donald Trump signaled the Iran war could continue for weeks, triggering a sharp oil price surge and dampening investor optimism about a near-term resolution.

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Financial Times

Case for Trump Tariffs Looks Strong

Oren Cass argues that, a year after President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping “liberation day” tariffs, the policy has defied dire economic predictions by coinciding with steady growth, cooling inflation and renewed manufacturing momentum.

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The Washington Post

Gen Z Men Embrace Catholicism

Young Gen Z men are increasingly drawn to Catholicism for its sense of tradition, discipline, community, and even dating prospects, as churches see surging attendance fueled by a search for meaning beyond modern secular life.

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PBS

Iran Fires on Israel and Neighbors

Iran launched fresh missile attacks on Israel and Gulf neighbors while disrupting global energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring its ongoing military and strategic leverage despite Trump’s claim that the threat from Tehran has been largely eliminated.

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The Hollywood Reporter

The Gambler Waging War on the Ellisons

Provocateur gambler R.J. Cipriani, in his first in-depth interview, details his $150 million legal battle with Jeff Shell and his long history of high-stakes conflicts, self-styled “cognitive warfare,” and controversial tactics that have repeatedly shaken Hollywood power players.

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NBC News

Appointees Give Ballroom Approval

A commission led by President Trump’s appointees approved controversial plans for a massive White House ballroom despite widespread public opposition and a judge’s order temporarily blocking construction over legal concerns.

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USA Today

Stop Humiliating Kristi Noem

Ingrid Jacques argues that despite intense backlash and personal scandal involving leaked pictures of her husband, Kristi Noem deserves a measure of dignity and recognition for her political career rather than public humiliation.

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The Telegraph

Macron Slams Trump's Remarks

French President Emmanuel Macron rebuked Donald Trump for mocking remarks about his wife and dismissed U.S. calls for European military action in the Strait of Hormuz as unrealistic, amid escalating tensions over the Iran war and NATO’s role.

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The Express

Tusk Warns of Putin's "Dream Plan"

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that United States’ President Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran war—straining NATO, easing pressure on Russia, and sidelining allies—amounts to a geopolitical outcome that benefits Vladimir Putin.

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The News International

Kanye's SoFi Spectacle

Kanye West stunned fans at SoFi Stadium with a surreal, sci-fi-inspired performance featuring a floating Earth stage, swirling smoke, and bold visuals, even as technical issues and backlash over his upcoming London show added controversy to the spectacle.

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The New York Times

Did LaGuardia Controller Step Away?

Investigators probing the fatal March 22 crash at LaGuardia Airport are examining whether an air traffic controller briefly stepped away to use an emergency phone as they work to determine what caused the collision between an Air Canada Express jet and a fire truck.

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People

Another Ted Bundy Victim Confirmed

More than five decades after 17-year-old Laura Ann Aime’s 1974 murder, advanced DNA analysis has definitively linked serial killer Ted Bundy to the case, finally bringing long-awaited closure to her family.

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ABC News

Tesla Rebounds, Still Falls Short

Sales at Tesla rose modestly in the first quarter following a year of boycotts tied to Elon Musk’s politics, but still missed analyst expectations, raising questions about the strength of its recovery.

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CBS News

Shapiro Raises Record $10M

Josh Shapiro raised a record $10 million in early 2026 for his reelection campaign, signaling strong nationwide support and bolstering his political standing ahead of a potential 2028 presidential bid.

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Variety

Lively's Baldoni Lawsuit Gutted

A judge dismissed most of Blake Lively’s sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni, significantly narrowing the lawsuit while allowing a few retaliation-related claims to proceed to trial.

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